Contents

Description

Probate is the legal court process by which the estate of a deceased person is distributed to his or her heirs. The term probate refers to a collection of documents, including wills, administrations (also called admons), inventories, and act books. The Church of England ecclesiastical courts had authority for this process until to 1858.

Step By Step

1.Search indexes to help you more quickly find the will, writing down each detail given in the index.

2. Go to "Records" (below) to determine what probate records exist for this court.

3. Obtain the records to search. Use one of these methods to find indexes and records.

Contact or visit the Archive (see below) or hire a professional record searcher to view these records on your behalf.

Order microfilm copies of the indexes and records listed in the Family History Library Records (see section below) by visiting the Family History Library or one of its family history centers and search indexes and records.

Indexes

Online Indexes

The library has a copy of a calendar, 1690-1833, on film number 98916 item 3.

Printed and Published Indexes

Indexes for 54 peculiar courts, 1383-1883, are available online on BritishOrigins. This is a subscription site.